Patent Grant
12201228
The present application claims priority from Great Britain Patent Application No. 2111798.1 filed on Aug. 17, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a picture frame to frame a picture.
Picture frames provide a protective edging for a picture, which can include a painting or photograph. The picture frame can be configured to attach to a wall and/or to stand up on a surface. It is becoming increasingly popular to display pictures with picture frames, particularly as users of mobile phones are frequently taking pictures with such devices.
A conventional picture frame is made of wood or metal. These frames can be expensive to produce due to the quantity and expense of the materials required. They may also be time consuming to fit to a picture, for example, the picture may have to be cut to a particular size and/or mounted to a carrier, which is then clamped to the frame. Conventional picture frames are therefore not suitable for mass production.
Therefore, in spite of the effort already invested in the development of said picture frames further improvements are desirable. In particular, it is desirable to provide a cost effective picture frame that is suitable for mass production.
The present disclosure provides a picture frame to support a picture member. The picture frame comprises a frame portion and a picture carrier portion, which in an assembled configuration connect together to support a picture member. The picture carrier portion carries the picture member, e.g. so that a central front face with the main picture element on is displayed. In embodiments, the frame portion comprises frame members that are connected to the picture carrier portion at hinge connections.
[Three Member Frame Portion]
In embodiments, the frame members comprise: an outer side member hingedly connected at a first hinge connection to the picture carrier portion; a back member hingedly connected at a second hinge connection to the outer side member, and; an inner side member hingedly connected at a third hinge connection to the back member.
In an assembled position: the outer side member forms an outer side of the frame, the back member forms a back of the frame, and; the inner side member forms an inner side of the frame.
By implementing three frame members in this manner the picture frame may have an aesthetic appearance of a more expensive/complex to assemble conventional wooden frame, particularly when viewed from the back. This may permit the picture frame to more be more favourably used when stood on a table where it is viewable from the back as well as on a wall where the back is not visible.
Moreover, by implementing three frame members, the picture member may be connected to the third member, such that it experiences hinging as it is wrapped around three hinged connections and therefore a high level of tension when assembled. A high level of tension may provide a better quality of visual display for the picture.
As used herein the term “form a side or back of the frame” in respect of the inner side member, outer side member and back member, may refer to forming a substantial structural component of said side or back, another component including the picture member may be disposed over said side or back member such that it is not exposed.
In embodiments, a connection system is arranged to connect the inner side member to the picture carrier portion. The connection may be directly between the inner side member and the picture carrier member. In embodiments, no other connection systems between the frame members and the other frame members and the picture carrier portion may be present.
By connecting the inner side member to the picture carrier portion a rigid frame structure may be provided that has an appearance of a conventional picture frame.
The connecting may be a locking connection. As used herein the term “lock” may refer to an arrangement to secure the inner side member to the carrier portion in a latching manner that precludes disconnection by pulling in an opposed direction to a locking direction, e.g. not an interference fit. A locking connection may include: a hook and loop connection; a ratchet connection; a catch and latch, and; other like connection. A locking connection may prevent unsightly disconnection of the assembly with time.
In embodiments, the connection system includes a first engagement member arranged on the inner side member and a complimentary second engagement member arranged on the picture carrier portion. In embodiments, the first engagement member includes one of a hook shaped extension or a complimentary aperture, and the second engagement member includes the other of a hook shaped extension or a complimentary aperture.
In embodiments, the second engagement member is arranged on an extension portion that extends from a body of the picture carrier portion. By arranging the second engagement member on an extension portion that extends in the depth direction, the extension portion may overlap the inner side member and provide a convenient support for the second engagement member. It may also provide additional rigidity to the picture carrier portion.
As used here in the term “extend in the depth direction” may refer to any direction aligned to the depth direction and can therefore include an extension in the depth direction or an extension in the counter depth direction.
In embodiments, a second engagement system is operatively associated with at least one of the hinge connections, the second engagement system engaged to define a terminal hinge position, in which the adjoining frame members or an adjoining frame member and picture carrier portion are perpendicular (including substantially perpendicular, e.g. plus or minus 5 or 10 degrees from 90 degrees) to each other, wherein the second engagement system is arranged distal (e.g. so it is not part of or connected to a component of the hinge connection) said hinge connection.
By implementing a second engagement system distal from the hinge pressure on the hinge and/or a first engagement system of the hinge may be reduced. The second engagement system may give the feel of a solid frame structure when a user squeezes the frame members.
In embodiments, a third engagement system is arranged with a first engagement member on the back member to engage with a second engagement member on the picture carrier portion to maintain (including substantially maintain from the terminal hinge position, e.g. plus or minus 5 or 10 degrees) the outer side member in the terminal hinge position defined by the first engagement system and/or the second engagement system.
By implementing both a second engagement system and a third engagement system the outer side member may be stabilised e.g. in both positive and negative lateral/longitudinal directions, to give the frame structure a solid feel.
In embodiments, the third engagement system is arranged with the second engagement member on an extension portion that extends from a body of the picture carrier portion.
By arranging the second engagement member on an extension portion that extends in the depth direction, the back member may overlap the extension portion, which provides a convenient support for the second engagement member. The extension portion may also provide additional rigidity to the picture carrier portion.
In embodiments, the extension portion extends in a lateral or longitudinal direction outwardly towards the outer side member from a portion comprising the second engagement member of the connection system to accommodate the second engagement member of the third engagement system.
By arranging the extension portion to splay outwards from the connection system to the third engagement system, the same extension portion may conveniently incorporate both components whilst enhancing structural rigidity.
In embodiments, in the assembled position, a rim of the inner side member engages a back surface of a body of the picture carrier portion. By arranging the end of the inner side member to abut the picture carrier portion, the feel of a solid frame structure may be provided.
In embodiments, in the unassembled position, the frame members are arranged in a longitudinal and lateral plane of the picture carrier portion with the inner side member having an outer surface to receive a picture member.
By arranging the picture frame to be arrangeable substantially flat in the unassembled position, it may be more compactly stored/transported pre-assembly. Moreover, the picture member may be connected to the inner side member in this position such that as it is folded three times at the three hinge connections with a high level of tension applied thereto, and hence quality of finish may be provided.
In embodiments, the inner side member includes reduced thickness portions to aid insertion of a fixing member therethrough to fix the picture member to the inner side member. Having thinner sections may provide easier insertion of the fixing member, they may also help to guide a user to insert the fixing members in a particular position that is most effective.
[Hinge Connection]
In embodiments, the frame members in and assembled position form a frame structure, wherein one or more of said hinged connections is arranged with a cut-out portion that in an unassembled position, in which the frame members are arranged in a lateral and longitudinal plane of the picture carrier portion, includes a flat base to define a hinge member, and in the assembled position the hinge member curves around a hinge axis.
By implementing a hinge connection with a hinge member that has a cut-out with a flat bottomed base, rather than a V-shaped or other like shaped groove, the hinge member can curve around the hinge axis as opposed to folding at a point defined by the V-shape (or other shape). Such an arrangement may permit the formation of the picture frame from a harder material since the hinge member is less likely to fracture because is subject to a more distributed curvature rather than a point curvature. This reduced restriction of material means that an overall stiffness of the picture frame can be improved by the use of a stiffer material.
As used herein the term “cut-out” may refer to a portion of material of reduced cross-section, however said reduced section does not require formation by removal of material (although this one possible means for its formation).
In embodiments, the hinge member is formed integrally with the adjoining frame members and/or a frame member and picture carrier portion. With a picture frame formed of a single piece of material the picture frame may be cost effective.
In embodiments, a thickness of the hinge member is less than 20% or 10% of a thickness of the adjoining frame members and/or an adjoining frame member and picture carrier portion. By implementing a comparatively thin hinge member it may have enhanced flexibility to enable it to curve around a hinge axis without fracturing.
In embodiments, at least one of the hinge connections comprises a first engagement system that is engaged to define a terminal hinge position, in which the adjoining frame members or an adjoining frame member and picture carrier portion are perpendicular (including substantially perpendicular, e.g. plus or minus 5 or 10 degrees from 90 degrees) to each other.
By implementing a first engagement system that is arranged as part of the hinge connection, over rotation of the hinge may be precisely avoided which could otherwise cause fracture of the hinge member.
In embodiments, the first engagement system is arranged as one or more extensions that extend outwardly from adjoining frame members or an adjoining frame member and picture carrier portion. The extensions may be perpendicular to each other in the terminal hinge position.
In embodiments, the first engagement system is arranged on either side of the cut-out portion.
In embodiments, in the assembled position the first engagement system and cut-out define a void, which is bounded at one end by the hinge member and at another end by the first engagement system. The void may provide a region that the frame member can curve unto uninhibited, which may avoid stress concentrations and therefore fracture.
In embodiments, the picture carrier portion and frame portion are integrally formed. In embodiments a material of formation is plastic based.
In embodiments a material of formation comprises compounds that are styrene based, including: High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS); Medium Impact Polystyrene (MIPS); ABS. Other materials may be used such as Acrylic. Comparatively softer materials, including Polypropylene are unlikely to be used since that do not provide the desired stiffness.
In embodiments a material of formation comprises a Youngs modulus of greater than 1500 MPa or 1800 MPa or 2000 MPa, e.g. 2000-3000 MPa.
[Stand Connection]
The present disclosure provides the picture frame of any preceding embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein and a corresponding stand portion. An engagement system comprises an aperture in the picture frame to receive a head of the stand portion. The head insertable in to the aperture in an open position and rotatable to a locked position where it is not extractable (without further rotation) from the aperture. In embodiments the head includes an extension key that corresponds in shape to the aperture and can project through the aperture in the open position and which abuts against an wall proximal the aperture in the locked position.
[System]
The present disclosure provides a picture frame of the preceding embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein and a corresponding picture member.
In embodiments, the picture frame is arranged in an assembled position, with fixing a member (e.g. a staple) fixing the picture member to the inner side member.
[Use]
The present disclosure provides use of the picture frame of any preceding embodiment or another embodiment disclosed herein for mounting a picture.
The present disclosure provides use of the picture member of any preceding embodiment, or another embodiment disclosed herein, for the picture frame any preceding embodiment, or another embodiment disclosed herein.
[Method]
The present disclosure provides a method of mounting a picture to a frame.
In embodiments, the method comprises, with a frame portion comprising frame members with: an outer side member hingedly connected at a first hinge connection to a picture carrier portion; a back member hingedly connected at a second hinge connection to the outer side member, and; an inner side member hingedly connected at a third hinge connection to the back member, connecting a picture member to the frame portion; hinging the hinge connections to connect the inner side member to the picture carrier member.
In embodiments, the method comprises locking the inner side member to the picture carrier member.
In embodiments, the method comprises connecting the picture member to the frame portion prior to hinging said hinge connections. In embodiments, the method comprises connecting the picture member to the inner side member prior to hinging said hinge connections.
In embodiments, the method comprises hinging about a hinge axis a hinge member of a hinged connection of a frame portion that is connected to a picture carrier portion, wherein the hinged connection includes a cut-out portion with a flat base to define said hinge member.
The preceding summary is provided for purposes of summarizing some embodiments to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Moreover, the above and/or proceeding embodiments may be combined in any suitable combination to provide further embodiments. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.
Aspects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments in reference to the appended drawings in which like numerals denote like elements.
Before describing several embodiments of the picture frame assembly, it is to be understood that the picture frame assembly is not limited to the details of construction or process steps set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.
The present disclosure may be better understood in view of the following explanations:
As used herein the term “picture” or “picture member” may refer to an item comprising a picture article that is suitable for display with a picture frame, it can include: a photo; artwork that can include a painting; or other article. The picture article may comprise a picture face that presents the picture and a back face which is on an opposed face to the picture face. The picture member may include a carrier, e.g. a backing substrate, to support the picture article, which may be arranged behind the picture article when supported. The picture article and the carrier may be integrally formed, e.g. the picture article is printed onto the carrier. The picture member may be arranged to wrap around a frame portion of the picture frame or just to be connected to a picture carrier portion.
As used herein the term “picture frame” may refer to a support structure for the picture member The picture frame may be formed by any suitable technique for forming a structure from the relevant material. For a plastic based material it may be formed by one or more of: injection moulding; extrusion; machining from a solid material; other forming process. The picture frame may be arranged to support pictures of size of about 8×8 to 5×7 to 12×12 inches. The picture frame can include a frame portion and a picture carrier portion that can be separable or integrally formed.
As used herein the term “frame portion” may refer to a portion of the picture frame that implements a frame at the edges of the picture.
As used herein the term “picture carrier portion” may refer to a portion of the picture frame that presents a generally planar face to support a picture.
[General Components of Picture Frame and Picture Member]
Referring to
Referring to
In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: rather than the picture member overlapping all three frame members, in may only overlap one or two.
[Picture Carrier Portion]
Referring to
The flange 28 is rectangular in shape, with the frame portion 8 arranged as four separate sections each attached to the one of the four outer edges 32.
Referring to
In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: the aperture is omitted or is a different shape; the extension portion is omitted and its associated components are located on the body, and; the picture carrier portion is alternatively shaped, including as rhomboid or triangular or hexagonal or other suitable shape (with a number of sets of frame member adapted to correspond to the numbers of sides of said shape).
[Frame Portion]
Referring to
Although the following description for brevity refers to a single set of frame members 40, which extend in the longitudinal direction 100 and are for a left side of the frame 2, it will be appreciated that the description applies to all four, which comprise: left side longitudinal frame members; right side longitudinal frame members; top lateral frame members, and; bottom lateral frame members. Moreover, to preserve clarity in the figures, where appropriate corresponding features of other sets of frame members are numbered.
The outer side member 42 is connected to the outer edge 32 of the body 20 at a first hinge connection 48. The outer side member 42 is connected to the back member 44 at a second hinge connection 50. The inner side member 46 is connected to the back member 44 at a third hinge connection 52.
The outer side member 42 has a front face 54 and a back face 56. The back member 44 has a front face 58 and a back face 60. The inner side member 46 has a front face 62 and a back face 64.
Referring to
In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: the frame members comprise only two or one members; the tip of the inner side member does not abut the body of the picture carrier portion, and; in the assembled position the frame members are arranged at other angles that 90 degrees to each other e.g. to give a tapered appearance.
[Connection System]
Referring to
The connection system 70 is configured as a locking connection, which includes a first engagement member 72 arranged on the inner side member 46 and a complimentary second engagement member 74 arranged on the extension portion 34 of the picture carrier portion 6.
The second engagement member 74 is arranged as a through-hole aperture 76 through the wall of the extension portion 34, which is reinforced around a rim thereof. The first engagement member 74 is arrange as an extension 78 and a hooking tip 80. A length of the extension 78 is matched to a depth of the aperture 76 so that when inserted into the aperture 76 the hooking tip 80 can latch on to the rim of the aperture 76.
For the left and right side longitudinal frame members, the connection system 70 is distributed as two portions both equally spaced from a longitudinal centre of the frame members. For the top and bottom lateral frame members, the connection system 70 is arranged as a single central portion.
In variant embedment's, which are not illustrated: alternative connection systems are implemented, including as a non-locking interference fit; the aperture can be arranged on the inner side member and the extension and a hooking tip arranged on the extension portion; the connection system can be distributed as more portions or only as a single portion.
[Hinged Connection]
Referring to
Referring to
In the assembled position (
The cut-out portion 90 has a flat base that defines a back face 94 of the hinge member 92, and opposed front face 96 of the hinge member 92 is formed of the front faces 54, 22 of the respective outer side member 42 and picture carrier portion 6. The hinge member 92 is rectangular in shape.
In the assembled position (
Although the first hinge connection 48 is described, it will be appreciated that the same configuration can be applied to the second hinge connection 50 and/or the third hinge connection 52.
A thickness d1 of the hinge member 92 in the depth direction is less than 20% or 10% of a thickness d2, d3 of the adjoining outer side member 42 and portion of the picture carrier portion 6 (not including the engagement portions as will be discussed).
In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: the cut-out may have other shapes, including V-shaped, and; the hinge member may have other shapes including tapered.
[First Engagement System]
Referring to
In the unassembled position (
The first and second extensions 112, 114 are arranged so that load is transmitted through them rather than the comparatively weaker hinge member 92, which acts as a locator and cover for said extensions.
In the assembled position (
In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: the first engagement system defines a terminal hinge position in which the outer side member and picture carrier member are at an angle other than 90 degrees to each other, e.g. within plus or minus 5 or 10 degrees from 90; the engage members may be alternatively profiled, including with alternatively angled or curved engagement surfaces.
Although the first hinge connection 48 is described, it will be appreciated that the same configuration can be applied to the second hinge connection 50 and/or the third hinge connection 52. Moreover, whilst a representative cross-section is shown, the described features of the first hinge connection may extend the entire length of the relevant frame member or may be distributed as discrete sections.
[Second Engagement System]
Referring to
Referring to
The extensions 122 are arranged with a tip to extend aligned to the outer side member 42, such that the tip progressively engages the outer wall 124 as the outer side member 42 is moved to the partially assembled position (from the position of
The second engagement system 120 is distributed as two portions, i.e. as two extensions 122 and complimentary wall outer wall portions, which are arranged proximal the ends of the outer side member 40.
In a similar manner, a second engagement system 120 is provided for the second hinge connection 50 by means of a rim of the extension portion 34 of the picture carrier portion 6 that engages with a back face 60 of the back member 44.
In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: a terminal hinge position defined by the second engagement system may be different to that defined by the first engagement system e.g. so that one engages before the other, as an example the second engagement system may engage first to reduce pressure on the hinge connection caused by the engagement of the first engagement system; the first and second engagement members may be alternatively profiled; the second engagement system may be distributed as a single or other number of portions, and; the second engagement system may be omitted.
[Third Engagement System]
Referring to
The third engagement system 130 is arranged as a first engagement member arranged as an extension 132 that extends perpendicular to the back face 60 of the back member 44 and a second engagement member arranged as an inner wall 134 of the extension portion 34 of the picture carrier portion 6. In the partially assembled position (
Referring to
As discussed for the second engagement system 120, the third engagement system 130 is engaged to define a terminal hinge position with the outer side member 40 and the picture carrier portion 6 arranged at 90 degrees to each other.
In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: a terminal hinge position defined by the third engagement system may be different to that defined by the first and/or engagement system e.g. so that one engages before the other; the first and second engagement members may be alternatively profiled; the third engagement system may be distributed as a single or other number of portions, and; the third engagement system may be omitted.
[Picture Member]
Referring to
When assembled on the picture frame 2 (
[Fixing System]
Referring to
By fixing the picture member 2 to the front face 62 of the inner side member 46 it can wrap entirely around the visible portion of the frame portion 2, which is both aesthetically pleasing and enables a precise amount of tension to be applicated in the assembled position.
In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: the reduced thickness portions are alternatively arranged or are omitted, and; alternative fixing member may be used, including an adhesive.
[Stand Connection]
Referring to
The head 170 is insertable in to the aperture 168 in an open position and is rotatable to a locked position where it is not extractable from the aperture 168. This is achieved by the head having a key extension 172 that corresponds in shape to the aperture 168 such that it can project through the aperture in the open position but which abuts against a proximal inner wall of the aperture 168 when rotated from the open position to the locked position.
In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: the engagement system is alternatively implemented including as an interference fit.
[Method of Assembly]
Step 1: Referring to
Step 2: With the back face 142 of the picture member 4 abutting the picture frame 2, the staples 156 are inserted though the reduced thickness portions 154 of the inner side member 46.
Step 3: The picture frame 2 is then moved from the unassembled position (
Step 4: The picture frame 2 is then moved from the partially unassembled position (
Step 5: The picture frame 2 is then moved from the partially unassembled position (
As used in this specification, any formulation used of the style “at least one of A, B or C”, and the formulation “at least one of A, B and C” use a disjunctive “or” and a disjunctive “and” such that those formulations comprise any and all joint and several permutations of A, B, C, that is, A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B in any order, A and C in any order, B and C in any order and A, B, C in any order. There may be more or less than three features used in such formulations.
In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps then those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. Also, the use of introductory phrases such as “at least one” and “one or more” in the claims should not be construed to imply that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an.” The same holds true for the use of definite articles. Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
Unless otherwise explicitly stated as incompatible, or the physics or otherwise of the embodiments, example or claims prevent such a combination, the features of the foregoing embodiments and examples, and of the following claims may be integrated together in any suitable arrangement, especially ones where there is a beneficial effect in doing so. This is not limited to only any specified benefit, and instead may arise from an “ex post facto” benefit. This is to say that the combination of features is not limited by the described forms, particularly the form (e.g. numbering) of the example(s), embodiment(s), or dependency of the claim(s). Moreover, this also applies to the phrase “in one embodiment”, “according to an embodiment” and the like, which are merely a stylistic form of wording and are not to be construed as limiting the following features to a separate embodiment to all other instances of the same or similar wording. This is to say, a reference to ‘an’, ‘one’ or ‘some’ embodiment(s) may be a reference to any one or more, and/or all embodiments, or combination(s) thereof, disclosed. Also, similarly, the reference to “the” embodiment may not be limited to the immediately preceding embodiment.
As used herein, any machine executable instructions, or compute readable media, may carry out a disclosed method, and may therefore be used synonymously with the term method, or each other.
The foregoing description of one or more implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various implementations of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2111798 | Aug 2021 | GB | national |
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| 0965390 | Jul 1964 | GB |
| 2461863 | Jan 2010 | GB |
| Entry |
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| British Office Action for Application No. GB2111798.1 dated Jan. 21, 2022, pp. 1-3. |
| Communication from the UK Intellectual Property Office dated Aug. 5, 2022, 1 Page. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20230057764 A1 | Feb 2023 | US |
